Pole pruning device



Sept. 21 1926.

L. J. BARRETT POLE PRUNING DEVICE Filed Feb. 27, 1925 AIL ,fioenza-f.2202: 7. Barre Z2 Patented Sept. 21, 1926.

LEON J. BARRETT, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS..

r oLE rnunme DEVICE.

Application filed February 27, 1925. Serial No. 12,168. I

This invention relatesto a pruning device intended to be attached to thetop of a pole for use up in trees at points that would otherwise beinaccessible from the ground.

The principal object of the invention is to provide the swinging bladeof the pruner ,with an actuating lever arrangement which will give agreat leverage and permit the cutting off of a limb of comparativelylarge size without undue effort, and also to provide one which is fullyinsulatedso that it can be used inany place where insulation isrequired. a I

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to ing drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a side view of the topof a primer constructed in accordance with this invention, showing twopositions of the blade;

Fig. 2' is an edge view of the same; and Fig. 3 is a sectional viewonlthe line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

I have shown the device as mounted on a long wooden pole 10 by means oftwo plates 11 and 12. These plates are bolted to the pole and extend upabove its top- There is no metal on the pole below these plates so thatit constitutes an insulating handle. At the upper ends these two platessupport a pivot stud 13 on which is provided a coil spring 14 fixed atone end to the plate 12 and having the other end fixed to a cutter'blade 15, on which the stud is located, so that the spring will openthe blade automatically and forcibly. .This blade is provided with astraight cutting edge 16 and with an integral arm 17 having a bolt 18extending through it and secured to it and provided with a roll or guide19 centered on it.

Extending from the plate 11 is an integral stationary blade 20 having anotch 21 preferably constructed as disclosed in my Patent No. 1,507,225granted September 2, 1924. This blade is in the form of a hook and theswinging blade 15 has a flat side engaging it and adapted to swing alongits flat surface in contact therewith. The blade 20 has a notch 30 atthe end of its cutting edge.

Pivoted to this blade on a stud or bolt 22 is a lever 23 having a slot24 radially located with respect to the stud 22. Through this slot 24passes the roll 19 which is of such size as to fit the slot and bear onit so as to be had tothe' accompanyturn easily in it and slide along itwithout presenting "undue friction. The lever 23 has a long armextending outtothe rear. with which a hook 25 is connected which mayextend down far enough to be operated by the user or may be connectedwith a cable which is operated at the bottom directly or through a leverin any of the ordinary ways. I

Fig. 2 shows in full lines thepositionthe parts assume after thehookfor, cable 25 has been pulled downa short distance: This actionthrough the operation offthe lever 23 and roll 19 swings the cuttingblade 15 upwardly toward the stationary blade 20 and-commences to cutinto'thelimb if it is large enough to receivethe cut atthat point.

A further pull on the hook orcable 25 swings the lever 23 over to theextreme position shown in dotted lines. It'will be seen that the roll 19which, of course, is at a constant distance from the pivot 13, but atvarying distance fromthe pivot 22, will.

move along the slot and reduce the length of the arm of the lever 23through which power is applied to the swinging knife blade. In otherwords, the force applied in the operation of cutting'increases thefarther in the blade goes. Therefore the easier it is to out after thecut is started. The centers 13, 22, and 19 come into substantialalignment in this position. This is an important feature in a pruninghook and one that greatly enhances its value. The parts shown in dottedlines are in a position in which a limb has been entirely severed. WVhenthis is accomplished, the operator lets go of the cable and the spring14 carries the parts back to a position beyond that shown in full linesin Fig. 1

This constitutes a very simple and eflicient pruning device and one inwhich the power that is tobe applied to secure the desired result isreduced to a minimum. It cuts off maple limbs an inch or more indiameter with great facility. It is so constructed that it can be forcedup into a. tree among the limbs and contains few parts that are likelyto become entangled therein. It

also presents many of the advantages of my prior patent above mentioned.The parts are all made of steel, the knives being drop forged and coldrolled and being easily interchangeable. The spring is made powerlow fulso that the parts will be returned to open position even if the partshave become wedged in operation which is very'unlikely. The contactingsides of the two blades are perfectly fiat so as to provide a very closeout. It contains no parts that" are likely to injure the bark and doesnot necessitate the leaving of a projecting portion of the limb afterthe cut is made. I

Although I have illustrated and described only a single form of theinvention, I am aware of the. fact'that modifications can be madetherein by any person skilled in the art. Without departing fromthescope of the invention asexpressed in the claims. Therefore I do notwish to be limited to all the details of construction herein shown anddescribed, but what I do claim is:

1. In a' pruning shear, the combination with a support and a stationaryblade carried thereby,.of a" U-shaped lever pivoted on said supporthaving a cooperating blade on one end and the other end paralleltherewith and having a stud, an operating lever pivoted. on thestationary blade and having a guide slot for receiving the stud andoperating the pivoted blade, said slot being substantially parallel withthe movable blade when open and substantially perpendicular to thecutting line when the blades are closed;

21. In; a pruning shear, the combination with a support and a stationaryblade carried thereby, of a. U-shaped lever pivoted on said supporthaving a cooperating blade on one end and the other end paralleltherewith. and having a stud, an operating lever pivoted on thestationary blade above said pivot and having a guide slot movable upwardly to close the shears, said slot receiving said stud to'operatethe-blade.

3. In pruning shears, the combination with a supporting handle, of twoplates" secured to opposite sides thereof and projecting; beyond theends, a pivot stud carried between said plates, a: blade pivotallymounted on the stud just inside one of said plates," a spring on thepivot stud between the plates for opening said blade, and astationaryblade carried by the other plate.

In testimony whereof I" have hereunto" affixed my signature.

EoN J; BARRETT.

